Page 31 of Meet Me In The Dark (Skeptically In Love #3)

Julian: Wait until I get my hands on you.

I’m still grinning at my phone like an idiot when the heat hits me.

He’s in New York for five days. Five, very long days.

After our run this morning, he showered and changed at my place before leaving. He kissed me goodbye, and as a parting gift, I slipped a pair of my panties into his pocket.

I’m guessing he just found them.

Me: You found your gift?

Julian: I found something.

Me: They’re my best pair, so make sure you bring them home to me.

Julian: You’re lucky I was alone when I found them. I’d have to kill any poor bastard who got to look at them.

Me: Missing me already?

Julian: I’m looking at a lacy scrap of fabric that belongs to you. I’m not sure “missing” is the right word.

Me: Should I be concerned about the structural integrity of your hotel room?

Julian: Depends. Are you planning to replace the chair I’m going to break later?

Me: Julian!

There’s a long pause. My screen stays stubbornly blank, until…

Julian: If you think I’m getting on the jet early just to prove a point, you’re absolutely right.

Me: First class not good enough for you?

Julian: The last time one of us got on first class, Nathan got off with a fiancée. Hence the jet.

Me: What?

Julian: Long story. I’ll tell you another time. Tell me what you’re wearing.

Me: Such a stalker.

Julian: Celeste, I’m having withdrawals here.

Me: Sweatpants and a hoodie.

Julian: Liar.

Me: Fine. Leggings and a sweater.

Julian: And underneath?

Me: Wouldn’t you like to know?

Julian: I would. That’s why I asked.

Me: Underwear.

Julian: What kind?

Me: The kind you won’t be getting your hands on until you get back.

Julian: When I get home, I’m going to take these panties out of my suitcase and put them exactly where they belong.

Me: Which is?

Julian: Around your hips. Right before I take them off with my teeth.

Me: Five days is a long time, Julian.

Julian: It’s torture.

Me: Careful, Mr. Blackwood. You’re starting to sound romantic.

Julian: I’ll ruin it.

Me: Of course you will. You better bring my panties back to me in one piece.

Julian: No promises. But I will make sure you’re wearing them again.

Me: Before or after you take them off with your teeth?

Julian: Both.

I drop my phone onto the couch, my cheeks warm and my pulse racing. Five days is going to feel like five years.